Civil engineering tool and civil engineering method

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a civil engineering tool for attachment to a civil engineering machine with a carrier, with at least one sensor for acquiring operating data on the civil engineering tool. It is provided according to the invention that arranged on the civil engineering tool is an operating data unit, which is autarkic of the civil engineering machine and which has the at least one sensor and a data storage device, in which the acquired operating data are stored and are retrievable on the civil engineering tool independently of the carrier.

The invention relates to a civil engineering tool for attachment to a civil engineering machine with a carrier, having at least one sensor for acquiring operating data on the civil engineering tool according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention further relates to a civil engineering method, in which a civil engineering machine is used with a civil engineering tool attached thereto with at least one sensor, by which sensor operating data can be acquired in use of the civil engineering tool, according to the preamble of claim 11.

A civil engineering machine with a carrier and a rotary drilling tool as a civil engineering tool results, for example, from EP 3 392 449 Bl.

In the case of such a drilling device, it is teached in the generic EP 3 536 900 A1, for example, that at least one sensor can be mounted on the civil engineering tool for acquiring measurement data. In the specific case, a sound measuring device is provided on the civil engineering tool.

Measuring devices of this kind are connected by way of the drill pipe via a data line or wirelessly to a control device, which is mounted on the carrier outside of the ground. The control device is usually located in or on the so-called operator's cabin.

It is further known to transmit the data acquired by the sensors together with further operating data of the civil engineering machine to a central control room for data recording and data evaluation. It is possible in this way to record and monitor the status of civil engineering works virtually in real time in a control room. Depending on the operating data acquired in this manner, statements can be made not only on the progress of the construction works but also on the type of deployment and duration of deployment of the civil engineering machine and the civil engineering tool used.

For deployed civil engineering tools in particular, the type of deployment and the duration of deployment are important information to provide needs-oriented servicing, for instance. Servicing can comprise, for example, an exchange of parts, such as cutting teeth, or necessary lubricating measures.

On larger construction sites in particular, it is customary for a frequent exchange of civil engineering tool to take place, which can then be attached to different civil engineering machines. Civil engineering tools or civil engineering machines of different manufacturers can also be used in this case, whereby efficient data transmission from the civil engineering tool to the civil engineering machine is rendered difficult, is adversely affected or in some cases is even impossible. This can result in civil engineering tools not being serviced or not being serviced as required, perhaps because defined operating times were not recorded by a control room.

The object of the invention is to specify a civil engineering tool and a civil engineering method with which particularly efficient utilization of a civil engineering tool can be achieved.

The object is achieved on the one hand by a civil engineering tool with the features of claim 1 and on the other hand by a civil engineering method with the features of claim 11. Preferred embodiments of the invention are indicated in the respectively dependent claims.

The civil engineering tool according to the invention is characterized in that arranged on the civil engineering tool is an operating data unit, which is autarkic from the civil engineering machine and which has at least one sensor and a data storage device, in which the operating data acquired are stored and are retrievable on the civil engineering tool independently of the carrier.

A basic idea of the invention can be seen in that the civil engineering tool is provided with autarkic operating data acquisition and operating data storage. It is not excluded here that the data are still transmitted to a carrier and thus to the civil engineering machine in operation. Independently of a possible data transmission of this kind, however, the operating data further remains stored on the civil engineering tool. In the sense of the invention, as civil engineering tool is to understand here a component provided for attachment to a civil engineering machine with a carrier, which component is substantially implemented as a simple steel construction and substantially has no drives and control devices of its own.

By storing the operating data directly on a civil engineering tool, this can be recorded reliably related to the tool, even if the civil engineering tool is used on various civil engineering machines of different manufacturers or on civil engineering machines without a data transmission and data processing device. Furthermore, the fundamental possibility exists with civil engineering tools configured according to the invention of retrieving the operating data directly at the tool, so that possible servicing requirement can be established reliably and independently of a civil engineering machine or control room. The tool-related data can also be used in the event of loss assessment and for clarifying the circumstances of use in warranty claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention consists in providing the operating data acquired with a time marking. If a standardized time marking exists, the data acquired directly by the tool can thus also be collated at a later time with further operating data of the civil engineering machine. The time marking can comprise the time and the date. This can increase data security in the case of recorded operating data as a whole. It can thus be determined, for example, whether the operating times of a civil engineering tool match the corresponding operating times of the civil engineering machines to which the civil engineering tool has been attached. This results in a basic increase in data security and data quality. The operating times can also be acquired as a whole here, wherein the operation of a civil engineering tool can be recorded perhaps by the occurrence and termination of a movement, in particular of a defined movement, in particular of a rotary movement, by means of a corresponding movement sensor.

It is particularly advantageous according to a development of the invention that a rotation speed, pressures, forces, temperature and/or positional changes can be acquired by the at least one sensor as operating data. In particular, several different sensors can also be provided on a civil engineering tool. A rotation speed can be acquired, for example, by way of an acceleration sensor, in particular gyroscopic measuring means. Pressures and forces can be acquired reliably via corresponding force measuring tapes, for example. To measure the temperature, one or more temperature sensors can be arranged on the civil engineering tool. A positional change can be detected by way of movement or acceleration sensors and/or by way of a GPS measuring unit if applicable. The list is not exhaustive, so that other physical or chemical data relevant for a method can also be acquired and stored on the civil engineering tool. The data storage device can be configured here for long-term data storage, for example, for a number of days, weeks or months.

It is particularly preferred according to an embodiment variant of the invention that the operating data unit comprises a processor with which the operating data acquired can be evaluated directly on the civil engineering tool. Thus, already processed data from the sensors can be retrieved efficiently directly from the civil engineering tool. A portable manual interrogation device can be provided for this.

It is particularly advantageous in this case that a servicing status can be determined by the processor and a signal can be emitted regarding this. It can thus be established by the processor when a certain operating time has been reached for servicing or also when a load limit has been exceeded, whereby servicing or repair of the civil engineering tool is initiated. This can be displayed by way of a signaling device, preferably on the civil engineering tool itself.

According to a development of the civil engineering tool according to the invention, it is expedient that the operating data unit comprises an autarkic energy supply, in particular an electric accumulator. The accumulator can be exchangeable in principle. This accumulator can preferably be charged via a charging cable or wirelessly.

It is particularly advantageous according to one embodiment variant that the operating data unit is configured to be detachable and/or able to be retrofitted on the civil engineering tool. In this case the operating data unit is preferably accommodated protected in a housing on the civil engineering tool. The housing can comprise a seating on the civil engineering tool in this case, which is closed by a detachable housing cover. The operating data unit can be connected in a wired or wireless manner to the at least one sensor on the civil engineering tool. This operating data unit can be provided here at a position that is located at a distance from the actual working area of the civil engineering tool, is in particular recessed.

According to another configuration of the invention, it is expedient for the operating data unit to have a transmission device for data transmission. Data transmission can take place in a wired or wireless manner here. Data transmission can take place from the civil engineering tool directly to the carrier and in particular also separately from the carrier directly to a receiving device or a manual interrogation device.

The civil engineering tool can basically be configured in any manner. A particularly suitable design consists therein that this is configured as a drilling tool, in particular a drilling bucket, an auger drill, a rock drill, a displacement auger, a Kelly bar or as a Kelly extension. Such drilling tools are usually typical steel components, which are connected directly or via a drill pipe to a rotary drive. The drill pipe in this case can be, in particular a Kelly bar, in particular a telescopic Kelly bar, or a Kelly extension. Such a drill pipe likewise constitutes a civil engineering tool in the meaning of the invention here.

Furthermore, the invention also comprises a civil engineering machine with a carrier, which has, in particular an undercarriage with a chassis and an upper carriage mounted rotatably thereon, wherein the civil engineering tool according to the invention that was described previously is attached. With a civil engineering machine of this kind, which can be a drilling device, in particular, the previously described advantages can be achieved.

The civil engineering method according to the invention is characterized in that arranged on the civil engineering tool is an operating data unit, which is autarkic from the carrier and has at least one sensor and a data storage device, in which the operating data acquired are stored on the civil engineering tool independently of the carrier. The civil engineering method can be executed in this case using the previously described civil engineering tool or the previously described civil engineering machine. Here the previously described advantages can likewise be achieved.

It is particularly expedient according to a development of the invention that the operating data are stored in the operating data unit securely against manipulation. The data storage device in the operating data unit can be configured in this case so that it cannot, or at least cannot readily, be deleted or modified by the civil engineering machine. Removal and deletion of the data can be undertaken via a control center or an authorized operator.

Furthermore, a preferred method variant consists in that the operating data being retrieved by the civil engineering machine and/or a central control room. The data acquired by the at least one sensor can thus be displayed during operation also directly to an operator of a civil engineering machine and/or in a central control room. Independently of this, the operating data recorded remain stored in the operating data unit directly on the civil engineering tool.

Another preferred method variant of the invention consists in that operating data acquired by the carrier machine itself and the operating data of the autarkic operating data unit on the civil engineering tool being retrieved separately by a central control room, and that the operating data of the carrier machine and the operating data of the autarkic operating data unit of the civil engineering tool being collated and/or compared in the central control room. Separate data acquisition can thus take place on the one hand by the civil engineering machine and on the other hand by the civil engineering tool.

In a central control room, the data thus acquired separately can be compared with one another and verified. This can lead to increased data security and data quality.

The invention is described further hereinafter with reference to a preferred exemplary embodiment, which is depicted schematically in the drawing. The drawing shows a view in perspective of a part of an inventive civil engineering tool.

A civil engineering tool 10 according to the invention, which is configured as a drilling bucket, is explained in connection with the figure. For reasons of clarity, a tubular housing that encloses a basic body 12 has been omitted on the civil engineering tool 10. Arranged on the underside of the basic body 12 is a base 14, which has on its underside a soil excavation device 30. Soil material that is excavated can be taken up into an internal receiving space on the basic body 12 by way of an opening, not shown, in the base. The base 14 is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis 15 directed horizontally. The base 14 can thus be pivoted downwards to empty the drilling bucket.

The housing around the basic body 12 is closed upwards by a cover plate 18, mounted on which is a connection device 20 for connection to a drill pipe. The connection device 20 in the exemplary embodiment depicted is configured as a so-called Kelly box, which can receive a square end of a drill pipe. A drill pipe can thus be taken up in a torque-proof manner in the sleeve-shaped connection device 20 and fastened by locking bolts directed transversely.

According to the invention, the civil engineering tool 10 is provided with a pressure measuring arrangement 40, which has a first pressure measuring device 41 on a lower region of the basic body 12 and a second pressure measuring device 42 on an upper region of the basic body 12. The lower first pressure measuring device 41 has a first hollow measuring body 45 a, which is constructed in an annular manner from three tubular elements. The outer measuring element facing outwards is configured curved corresponding to an outer circumferential radius of the basic body 12. Arranged, in particular on an inner side of the first hollow measuring body 45 a can be a flexible measuring surface 48, which deforms according to an external pressure due to in-situ stabilizing liquid, possibly with excavated soil material, and thus transmits an external pressure to an internal measuring fluid.

The first hollow measuring body 45 a is formed here parallel to the horizontal base 14 and can be in contact with an outer side or an external environment via an opening in the base 14. A corresponding opening is also formed in the cover plate 18, wherein a duct 17 is formed by an internal wall 16 along the basic body 12, through which duct support suspension can flow along the basic body 12.

The upper, second pressure measuring device 42 has a second annular hollow measuring body 45 b, which is formed of four tubular elements. Here the second hollow measuring body 45 b extends in the manner of a ring around the connection device 20 on the top side of the cover plate 18. The second hollow measuring body 45 b is likewise formed with a flexible measuring surface for detecting an external ambient pressure, wherein the ambient pressure can be transmitted to an internal measuring fluid.

The first pressure measuring device 41 and the second pressure measuring device 42 are connected fluidically by way of a connection line 44, which extends axially along the basic body 12. To protect the connection line 44, the internal wall 16 is provided, which largely delimits and protects the connection line 44 and also the first pressure measuring device 41 on the base 14 from excavated soil material in the interior of the basic body 12. Connected to the connection line 44 on the cover plate 18 is a sensor 50 with which a pressure difference between the first pressure measuring device 41 and the second pressure measuring device 42 can be detected. In the exemplary embodiment depicted, the pressure measuring devices 41, 42 are arranged on an outer side. If recording of the filling level is desired, the first pressure measuring device 41 can be arranged in the inner receiving space of the basic body 12.

The sensor 50 can have a conventional pressure sensor or also a flow meter, which determines a movement of the measuring fluid in the pressure measuring arrangement 40 based on different pressures at the first pressure measuring device 41 and the second pressure measuring device 42. Furthermore, pressure sensors can also be arranged respectively at the two pressure measuring devices 41, 42, with which sensors an absolute pressure can be determined in each case. The sensor 50 and all further sensors are connected to an inventive operating data unit and optionally to a control unit of a civil engineering machine, which is not shown, wherein the control unit can control a vertical movement of the civil engineering tool and/or a rotary drive for rotating the civil engineering tool 10 according to the pressure values determined.

The operating data unit 60 has a housing 64 and is connected via a line 62 to the sensor 50, which can be part of the operating data unit 60. The operating data unit which is mounted on an upper side of the civil engineering tool 10, can comprise further sensors such as a movement and/or acceleration sensor. In the operating data unit, the data acquired by the sensors 50 can be received and stored independently of the civil engineering machine. If required, the stored data can be retrieved directly from the operating data unit 60, perhaps to ascertain a necessary servicing time and/or requirement. 

1.-15. (canceled)
 16. A civil engineering tool for attachment to a civil engineering machine with a carrier, comprising at least one sensor for acquiring operating data on the civil engineering tool, wherein the civil engineering tool can be attached to different civil engineering machines, wherein the civil engineering tool is configured as a simple steel construction, namely as a drilling bucket, an auger drill, a displacement auger, a Kelly bar or as a Kelly extension, and wherein, arranged on the civil engineering tool is an operating data unit for acquiring operating data, which is autarkic of the civil engineering machine and comprises the at least one sensor and a data storage device, in which the acquired operating data are stored and are retrievable on the civil engineering tool independently of the carrier.
 17. The civil engineering tool according to claim 16, wherein the acquired operating data are provided with a time marking which include the time and the date.
 18. The civil engineering tool according to claim 16, wherein a rotation speed, pressures, forces, temperature and/or positional changes can be acquired as operating data by the at least one sensor.
 19. The civil engineering tool according to claim 16, wherein a positional change can be acquired via a movement sensor or acceleration sensor and/or via a GPS measuring unit as the operating data by the at least one sensor.
 20. The civil engineering tool according to claim 16, wherein the operating data unit comprises a processor with which the acquired operating data can be evaluated directly on the civil engineering tool.
 21. The civil engineering tool according to claim 20, wherein a servicing state can be determined by the processor and a signal can be emitted regarding this.
 22. The civil engineering tool according to claim 16, wherein the operating data unit comprises an autarkic energy supply, in particular an electric accumulator.
 23. The civil engineering tool according to claim 16, wherein the operating data unit is configured to be detachable and/or able to be retrofitted to the civil engineering tool.
 24. The civil engineering tool according to claim 16, wherein the operating data unit has a transmission device for data transmission.
 25. The civil engineering tool according to claim 16, wherein this is configured as a drilling tool, in particular a drilling bucket, an auger drill, a rock drill, a displacement auger, a Kelly bar or as a Kelly extension.
 26. A civil engineering machine with a carrier comprising a chassis, which comprises, in particular an undercarriage with the chassis and an upper carriage mounted rotatably thereon, wherein a civil engineering tool according to claim 16 is attached.
 27. A civil engineering method in which a civil engineering machine comprising a chassis is used with a civil engineering tool attached thereto with at least one sensor, by which operating data can be acquired during use of the civil engineering tool, wherein the civil engineering tool can be attached to different civil engineering machines, wherein the civil engineering tool is configured as a simple steel construction, namely as a drilling bucket, an auger drill, a displacement auger, a Kelly bar or as a Kelly extension, and wherein arranged on the civil engineering tool is an operating data unit for acquiring operating data, which is autarkic of the carrier and which has at least one sensor and a data storage device, in which the acquired operating data are stored on the civil engineering tool independently of the carrier.
 28. The civil engineering method according to claim 27, wherein the operating data are stored securely against manipulation in the operating data unit.
 29. The civil engineering method according to claim 27, wherein the operating data are retrieved by the civil engineering machine and/or a central control room.
 30. The civil engineering method according to claim 27, wherein operating data, which are acquired by the carrier itself, and the operating data of the autarkic operating data unit on the civil engineering tool are retrieved separately by a central control room, and the operating data of the carrier and the operating data of the autarkic operating data unit of the civil engineering tool are collated and/or compared in the central control room. 